Embalming-instrument



(No Model.)

0. V. THORNTON. EMBALMING INSTRUMENT.

No. 541,901. Patented July 2, 1895.

Wi/nesses: Ina/wafer W kJZQ- MZZ SNITED STATES OWEN V. THORNTON, OF ST. JOSEPH, MISSOURI.

EMB -ALMING-INS TRUMENT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 541,901, dated July 2, 1895. Application filed February 4., 1895- Serial No. 537,255. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, OWEN V. THORNTON, a citizen of the United States, residing at St. J oseph, in the county of Buchanan and State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Embalming-Instruments; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

The object of my invention is to provide an instrument by the use of which in embalming the viscera of the body an embalmer may inject embalming or other fluids into the stomach, simultaneously obtain sufficient resistance to prevent the return of the fluid or escape of other contents of the stomach, through the esophagus, and be able to disin feet, or force out through the abdominal cavity, all impurities of the body. I attain these objects by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a side and top view of the embalming instrument, with bulb uninflated. Fig. 2 is a side view of embalming instrument, with bulb inflated. Fig.3 is a full side view of instrument with a bulb pump attached to upper end of air tube. Fig. 4 is a top view of bulb and tubes.

Similar letters refer to similar parts th roughout the several views.

In my invention A and B are flexible tubes.

0 is a bulb made of rubber or any material that is suitable and will hold air.

D D are connections between tubes A and B and bulb O, and E is a valve or cut off in tube B.

In the operation of embalming the rounded end of tube A is inserted into the esophagus and the instrument pressed in until A reaches to or near the stomach. Bulb 0 is then inflated with air through tube B by means of a common bulb pump F (as shown in Fig. 3), or a reversible current air pump, or other suitable means, until said bulb presses so tightly against the walls of the esophagus that no air or fluid or any substance can pass it, all air pumped into the bulb being prevented from escaping from said bulb by valve E. A reversi ble current pump, or other. suitable instrument, is then attached to the upper end of tube Aand theembalmingfluid isinjected intothe stomach through tube A until the stomach is filled. When the pressure by the fluid has distended the stomach to its utmost capacity, all means of escape upward from the stomach having been cutoff byinflated bulb G, a passage is forced into or through the stomach into upper intestine of theabdominal cavity and all impurities in the body are disinfected or carried out through the second and third intestines. When the operation of embalming is completed valve E is opened, the air passes out of bulb 0 through tube B, the bulb collapses and the instrument may be removed from the esophagus.

In any perfect process of embalin'ing two things are absolutely necessary: First, that we inject in the arteries antiseptic or embalming fluids in such manner as will secure a thorough circulation through the entire vascular system. This is done by opening the brachial, radial, corrotid or femoral arteries and inserting an arterial tube attached to acornmon bulb or reversible current pump and with gentle pressure, or gentle force of either of the aforesaid instruments, forcing the fluid into all parts of the vascular system by opening the corresponding vein. This completes the embalming process of the trunk of the body as now practiced. Second, but after this has been done the body is still. left in bad condition owing to the amount of fetid matter contained in the stomach and intestines. The only means heretofore resorted to in attempts to overcome this has been to insert a trocar into the abdominal cavity and with it puncturing the stomach and intestines and then pumping fluid into said cavity. By the insertion of this trocar and puncturing therewith the circulation already obtained is largely destroyed and the body much mutilated. In addition, this process wholly fails to disinfect the body.

To complete the process of embalming it is quite as essential that the stomach and intestines and abdominal cavity be leftin perfect condition as it is to inject antiseptic or embalming fluids in the arteries.

As is shown by my description of my in- IOC a flexible tube passing through said bulb and through which tube fluid may be injected into the body by the embalmer, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature 15 in presence of two witnesses.

OWEN V. THORNT N. Witnesses:

J. J. DAVIS, EMMA HECKEL. 

